The second Test of this India-England series will be contested in Visakhapatnam, also known as the ‘City of Destiny’. This venue hosted England in November 2016 and provided a pitch that was initially favorable to batsmen before turning into a spinner’s paradise from day three. Expectations for an even more extreme pitch than previous tours exist, with England suffering three India losses in 2021 due to “the worst pitches,” according to Ben Foakes. In Hyderabad, Black Okie Pope’s 196 in the second innings was well-supported by Fiends Mindy, his sidekick. Foakes showcased his importance in partnerships by contributing 112 runs in crucial moments of the game. Unlike previous series, where Foakes was hesitant to bat positively, he now approaches the crease confidently, adjusting his game according to the circumstances. Despite his intermittent appearances in the English side, Foakes keeps a clear mindset and adapts to challenging situations, focusing on learning on his feet. Foakes’ chance to play in this series surfaced after Harry Brook left, pledging to overcome his nerves and embrace tougher conditions behind the stumps. With Indian pitches offering variable bounce, Foakes finds this to be one of the hardest challenges in his career.
